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Dukeinhaler · 09-27-2013, 08:55 AM

I want to get a DVR for Direct TV. My question is: Since I will need two incoming signals for the DVR can I use the dish on top of my coach and a portable dish outside to accomplish this? (one line from each dish) I only have one line coming from the dish on top and don't want to run another cable. Thanks

Tom Troy

RickO · 09-27-2013, 09:00 AM

I'm sure some of our experts will chime in, but I think the answer is yes. It won't be turn key to set up but I think it can be done.

What kind of sat dish to you have on the roof? There are some that can be updated to use single wire technology.

Rick

texnet · 09-27-2013, 11:09 AM

Yes, what you have described will work. However, you only need two lines IF you want to watch one channel live and record a seperate channel.

We have a DVR in our coach and a in-motion antenna on the roof. In the 4 years since we have had this setup there have only been a couple of times that two antennas would have been nice, so for us it is not worth the hassle to setup a seperate antenna.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dukeinhaler

I want to get a DVR for Direct TV. My question is: Since I will need two incoming signals for the DVR can I use the dish on top of my coach and a portable dish outside to accomplish this? (one line from each dish) I only have one line coming from the dish on top and don't want to run another cable. Thanks

Tom Troy

paz · 09-28-2013, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dukeinhaler

I want to get a DVR for Direct TV. My question is: Since I will need two incoming signals for the DVR can I use the dish on top of my coach and a portable dish outside to accomplish this? (one line from each dish) I only have one line coming from the dish on top and don't want to run another cable. Thanks

Tom Troy

What you are asking will work, but as texnet says, you only need two lines if you're going to record two programs at the same time or record one while watching another.

However, if you're going to use a tripod anyway, get one with a dual LNB (which is what most of them come with nowadays). Just use the tripod and forget about the rooftop dish.

By the way, we're talking SD, not HD. If you want HD, you can do it with a tripod, but the setup is a little more difficult because you have to hit several satellites at the same time. Your current rooftop dish will likely not work for HD.

schneid · 09-28-2013, 06:02 AM

DirecTV HD is no harder to aim than SD. You are aiming for the same sat, the 101. With a plumb mast the other primary birds will fall into place. Some localities still use the 119 sat for Locals which does require peaking both signals. My Locals are under the 119 but I am seldom under the spotbeam on the road anyway. My road dish LNB is an SL3 rather than an SL5, needed for the 110/119.

It does not sound like your roof dish will be HD compatible.

The answer to your original question is yes provided your are using an 18" round legacy dish which is SD only. Haven't done SD since 2007 but I thought their might have been a "combiner" once that would share two inputs.

I suggest you go to the Winegard site. They have lots of schematics on how to mix and match all kinds of dishes.

HD receivers require a "Slimline" dish that can be tripod mounted (seeTV4RV.com) and Winegard makes an automatic roof mount.

New DirecTV technology, "SWM", requires just one wire from the dish and one wire to each receiver, client or compatible TV.

paz · 09-28-2013, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schneid

DirecTV HD is no harder to aim than SD....

Except don't you have to set the skew with HD? There is no skew for SD. It seems to me SD would be more forgiving of a tripod that was a little out of plumb than if you had to also set the skew.

chuckinthebus · 09-28-2013, 11:17 AM

I have had an HD DirecTV antenna on a tripod for work the last 3+. Mostly east of the MS and have not changed the skew of the antenna yet. Use it on the RV too and don't change it.

schneid · 09-29-2013, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paz

Except don't you have to set the skew with HD? There is no skew for SD. It seems to me SD would be more forgiving of a tripod that was a little out of plumb than if you had to also set the skew.

True but that is a given. The process is always an absolutely plumb mast, Elevation and Tilt/Skew pre-set as published (preferably using something like DishPointer), with a dead on shot at the 101 and you will have signal. Even with an 18" round you will introduce Tilt/Skew if the rotational plane is not level. If I recall, an 18" round is actually elliptical. Maybe not that critical with SD. The guys that built my last house didn't think level was critical either. Further, they had never used a square or a tape measure either.

bukzin · 10-06-2013, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schneid

DirecTV HD is no harder to aim than SD. You are aiming for the same sat, the 101. With a plumb mast the other primary birds will fall into place. Some localities still use the 119 sat for Locals which does require peaking both signals. My Locals are under the 119 but I am seldom under the spotbeam on the road anyway. My road dish LNB is an SL3 rather than an SL5, needed for the 110/119.

It does not sound like your roof dish will be HD compatible.

The answer to your original question is yes provided your are using an 18" round legacy dish which is SD only. Haven't done SD since 2007 but I thought their might have been a "combiner" once that would share two inputs.

I suggest you go to the Winegard site. They have lots of schematics on how to mix and match all kinds of dishes.

HD receivers require a "Slimline" dish that can be tripod mounted (seeTV4RV.com) and Winegard makes an automatic roof mount.

New DirecTV technology, "SWM", requires just one wire from the dish and one wire to each receiver, client or compatible TV.

Here is a little more info on HD, DVR's and dishes...

TiVo Buying Guide - Which TiVo Do you Need?